[Reporter`s View] Looking beyond four-power diplomacy

``What about the minister? He is sure to be replaced when he has completed his visits to the four major powers.`` These sorts of self-mocking remarks, made by officials of the Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry, have two implications. One is to deplore the fact that the foreign minister has been replaced too frequently, and the other indicates that with the nation`s diplomatic priorities given to the four major powers, namely the United States, Russia, China and Japan, relations with other nations have been neglected.

With the appointment of Rep. Han Seung-Soo of the United Liberal Democrats as the new foreign affairs-trade minister in the Monday cabinet reshuffle, the four foreign ministers under the Kim Dae-Jung administration served an average of 12 months. There is no country the world that changes foreign ministers as often as Korea. Thanks to the too frequent ministerial changes, the newly appointed minister has little time to deal with nations other than the four major powers, as he has to make his utmost efforts to promote diplomatic relations with these powerful countries.

For example, the Australian foreign minister has visited Korean on five occasions since 1990, but no Korean minister went to Australia in that period. Being that Korea is a major importer of Australian beef, Seoul`s diplomatic conduct could hurt the pride of the Australian government and its people.

To Kazakhstan, where more than 100,000 ethnic Koreans live, South Korea is considered a more important nation than the U.S., on the grounds that Korea`s investments in that country make it Kazakhstan`s first- or second-largest trading partner.

On Mar. 23, the presidential residence of Sri Lanka hosted a dinner party for the Korean diplomats and businessmen. The event was for the Sri Lankan president to extend his gratitude to the enterprisers from Korea, which is the largest investor in the South Asian country. Of course, this was a special occasion, an expression of Sri Lanka`s affection for the Korean people.

Singaporean diplomats are said to often ask why the Korean foreign minister is always accompanying the president on overseas trips. This is surely a form of ridicule for Korea`s diplomatic practices.

There is no denying that the four-power diplomacy is very important at a time when the inter-Korean relations are rapidly developing. However, there should be some room for expanding the diplomatic horizon, as far relations with other nations are concerned. The new foreign minister is expected to know this.

Boo Hyung-Kwon bookum90@donga.com